California State Assembly

California Assembly District 73

California
State
Election

about this guide

To help voters better understand where each candidate stands on issues that matter to people of faith, candidates were invited to respond to a set of specific questions. Their answers are presented below in their own words, without commentary or endorsement, so that voters can weigh each candidate's positions and make an informed decision.

Candidates

Pick candidates to set them head-to-head and compare their answers on the issues, side by side (the candidates will sort in alphabetical order).
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Cottie Petrie-Norris

Democrat
D

Urson Russell

Republican
R

How did they answer?

Candidates were asked specific questions to help voters better understand their views on issues important to people of faith.

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Cottie Petrie-Norris
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The issues

Cottie Petrie-Norris

Cottie Petrie-Norris

Democrat
D
Clear Selection

Urson Russell

Republican
R
Clear Selection

The issues

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Voter ID

Share your view on the 2026 California ballot proposition that requires voters to show a government-issued photo identification to vote.
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
I 100% support ID requirements for voting in California and across the nation.

Budget

Share your views on California's budget shortfalls and mounting debt. Do you favor cutting spending, raising taxes, or a mix of both to achieve fiscal responsibility?
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
Force audits of every department and program and if not completed, freeze funds, and send people home without pay until the audit is completed. If no power to do that, find them and expose the abuse of funds to all Californians using any means available.

Israel

Share your view on America's support for Israel.
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
I fully support the people of Israel. What I think gets confusing is the people of Israel and the government of Israel. Americans are great people but our government has done, and continues to do things that are antithetical to liberty and life in America. That's just what governments and consolidated power has done over the centuries. I believe Israel has a right to a homeland and would rather see America's support be building coalitions regionally to secure their liberty vs supporting with endless military equipment fueling long term wars.

Border

What is your view of President Donald Trump's measures to enhance border security?
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
100% support and I think States are way over the line when it comes to their jurisdictional authority to prevent it, and their sworn oath to protect and defend Americans, not anyone on the planet. We didn't need new laws. Just a new President with the will.

Marriage

In 2024, Californians voted to amend the state Constitution to establish marriage as a fundamental right regardless of sex. What is your view on this amendment?
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
I don't believe government has any right to be involved in the institution of marriage. I do think government incentivizing families is a good thing but it cannot pick winners and losers by promoting the nuclear family and putting down other family structures or vice versa. The government should view every union as a civil union and leave churches to "MARRY" people. This removes government's authority to divide us and puts all the power where it belongs. In God's hands vs government.

Abortion

After the Supreme Court returned abortion policymaking to the states, do you believe that is the correct level of government to decide this issue, or should Congress or the Constitution establish a national standard?
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
It never belonged to the Federal government to decide like so many other things like the National Education Administration. America isn't exactly a Country. We are a compact of 50 sovereign nation states with each having the liberty to pass laws as long as they don't conflict with the State or U.S. constitutions. I fully support returning the power back to each State.

Parental Rights

What is your view of the Supreme Court’s decision supporting a parents’ right to know about their child’s gender issues at school?
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
Parents Rights First Always. That is really all that needs to be said. If government isn't putting parents first over their kids, its a failure. This law was an egregious attack on families and a clear signal that Sacramento thinks they know what's best, and are willing to pass evil laws allowing someone in a room somewhere to decide if you're a good parent or not.

Vaccines

What is your view of California's vaccine mandate for public school students?
Did not answer
No response was submitted for this question.
Parental choice with a consideration for public safety. If a school district requires certain vaccines to attend, the choices for parents are to do it, sue them to stop it, find a different school, or run for office and kick them out. That being said government should also have a threshold to cross showing that required vaccinations actually has some beneficial outcome to protect all kids. If one kid is vaccinated against the Measles and another is not, so what. The kid with the vaccine is protected if the vaccine works as intended and the kid without it isn't affected negatively by teachers, parents, administrative staff. I think it also could be argued that it violates HIPPA laws and that one's private medical info is no business of the schools.

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